Philadelphia

Neighborhoods

From Chinatown to Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia’s neighborhoods each own a distinctive personality and offer countless things to do. Select a neighborhood below to browse the most recent posts in that neighborhood.

With a higher elevation than the rest of the city, Chestnut Hill was once a cool escape from the lower-lying parts of the city. Today, the neighborhood’s Germantown Avenue and its eclectic shops and eateries continue to make it a hip place to be.

East Passyunk Avenue has enjoyed a major renaissance in recent years, creating a mecca for excellent dining and bar hopping. East Passyunk stretches from Washington Avenue to McKean Street, plus a few blocks east and west of the street.

Fishtown is now one of the coolest sections of Philly, thanks to the quality restaurants, inventive bars, impressive music venues and progressive art galleries. The Fishtown borders are subject to debate, but the heart of the 'hood sits at Frankford and Girard avenues.

In recent years, the area stretching from Lombard Street to Washington Avenue and from Broad Street to Grays Ferry Avenue has accumulated a healthy dose of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and markets that reflect the area’s residential and cool vibe.

Logan Square sits between Broad Street and the Schuylkill River, from Market to Spring Garden streets, and includes everything from the museum-packed Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the high-rise buildings and the historic square that gives the area its name.

Manayunk's quirky name — a Native American word meaning “where we to go drink,” — references the neighborhood’s location next to the Schuylkill. The heart and soul of the community lives on Main Street, a mercifully level thoroughfare in a hilly neighborhood.

Washington Square West is a thriving enclave that also includes Midtown Village and the Gayborhood. Running roughly from 7th to Broad streets and Chestnut to South streets, the ’hood is increasingly a go-to spot for awesome food, drinks and shopping.

Midtown Village forged its personality thanks to a small-business boom concentrated along 13th Street. The Gayborhood sets itself apart with restaurants and bars catering to an LGBT-friendly clientele, along with rainbow crosswalks and street signs.

In addition to its elegant examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture, Mt. Airy is also known for its artists, unique non-chain bookstores, cozy coffee shops and green space offered by Wissahickon Valley Park.

Once considered Philadelphia’s favorite up-and-coming neighborhood, Northern Liberties has officially arrived. Located just north of Old City, its borders are Girard Avenue to the north, Callowhill Street to the south, 6th Street to the west and the Delaware River to the east.

Old City boasts plenty of 18th-century charm — along with an independent streak featuring owner-operated shops and an edgy art scene. Old City boundaries stretch from the Delaware River to 6th Street and from Walnut to Race streets.

Pennsport, south of Queen Village on the far east side of the city, calls among its residents the Mummers, historically blue-collar families and — in recent years — cool new bars, coffee shops and restaurants.

"America's most historic square mile," the area between Front to 7th streets and Spruce to Race streets covers three different neighborhoods, all jam packed with popular restaurants, galleries, boutiques and some of the country’s most sacred historic sites.

West Philadelphia's Powelton Village is a true hidden gem with tried-and-true restaurants, picturesque parks and a bevy of historic homes. The neighborhood shares the border of Market Street with University City, which makes it extremely accessible via public transit.

Queen Village is home to some of the city's most historic residences and also new music venues and restaurants. The 'hood's northern border is a few feet up from South Street, and its southern border is at Washington Avenue.

Centered around Rittenhouse Square, one of five original squares in Philadelphia, the neighborhood boasts high-end shops and an array of eateries. The heart of Rittenhouse Square is located from South to Chestnut streets and Broad to 21st streets.

If only the walls could talk in Society Hill with colonial homes, historic buildings and winding cobblestone streets. Society Hill lies between the Delaware on the east, 8th Street on the west, Walnut Street on the north and Lombard Street on the south.

Best known as the home of the stadiums, South Philadelphia is much more than a sports 'hood thanks to hole-in-the-wall cheesesteak spots, delicious restaurants, dive bars, cute streets and grassy parks.

The tree-lined streets of Spruce Hill promise independently owned businesses that call on the diversity of the neighborhood for inspiration. Spruce Hill posts boundaries of Market Street and Woodland Avenue and 38th and 46th streets.

The booming University City neighborhood is home to some of the top colleges in the national and a bevy of good food and great shops. It’s bordered by University Avenue to the south, Market Street to the north, 30th Street to the east and 38th Street westward.

Washington Square West provides visitors with tony restaurants, local shops and an expansive park, which gives the neighborhood its name. The 'hood runs from 7th to Broad streets and Chestnut to South streets.